China: Our Largest Challenge on Trade

Statement

China: Our Largest Challenge on Trade

China is among the largest challenges when it comes to American trade policy. In 2006, the annual deficit with China ($232.5 billion) and imports from China ($287.8 billion) were records. At the current rate, the bilateral balance of trade will become even more lopsided in 2007.

The trade policy challenge of China is not limited to staggering trade deficits. Blatant intellectual property theft, rampant subsidies and prolific dumping plague the bilateral relationship and eviscerate any chance for America's employers to compete on a level playing field.

The sector of our economy most in the crosshairs of China's mercantilist trade practices is the American manufacturing base. As long as China continues to operate outside of conventional trade norms, it is nothing more than a rouge agent threatening to break down the worldwide trade regime. In the new year, Congress needs to aggressively move forward with legislation that will effectively deal with China-related trade issues, including subsidies, intellectual property rights and exchange rate practices.

By Pa. GOP Rep. Philip English

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